Hominick calls time on UFC career

Former top UFC featherweight contender Mark Hominick announced his retirement from mixed martial arts on Tuesday night.

Hominick, 30, made the announcement on Fuel TV, nearly one month after losing his fourth consecutive fight in a row.

"I truly got to live my passion and follow my dreams by competing in mixed martial arts, especially under the Zuffa banner," said Hominick, who ends his professional career with a record of 20-12. "But UFC 154, that's the last fight I'll be in the Octagon, as I'm retiring and looking to move on to the next phase of my career."

Hominick secured a title shot after registering a first-round knockout of George Roop in January 2011. But he came up short in his bid to unseat 145-pound titleholder Jose Aldo at UFC 129 on April 30, 2011.

Aldo defeated Hominick by unanimous decision. That fight marked the last time Hominick would have long-time trainer and close friend Shawn Tompkins in his corner.

Tompkins, Hominick's best man at his wedding, died of a heart attack on August 14, 2011. He was 37 years old.

Hominick lost each of his next three fights after Tompkins' passing.

At UFC 154 on November 17 in Montreal, Hominick lost by unanimous decision to Pablo Garza.